Schiphol noise limits breached but no enforcement action taken in 2025
Residents near Schiphol faced increased noise in 2025 as the airport exceeded legal limits at two enforcement points. Despite breaches, authorities cannot act due to new aviation rules, leaving locals with little recourse for noise reduction.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Noise exceedances | 7% at Lijnden (point 18), 3% at Uithoorn (point 25) |
| Unauthorized night deviations | 5 instances; airlines warned |
| APU violations | 6 warnings issued; KLM fined €2,500 for improper use |
| Night flights | 25,508 (2.3% increase from 2024); max allowed: 32,000 |
| Solar panel glare incidents | 2 periods affecting Polderbaan runway and Zwanenburglaan |
| Enforcement policy | No action taken due to NNHS rules and ministerial instructions |
The ILT Aviation Authority oversees compliance with environmental and safety regulations at Schiphol Airport, including noise limits and emissions. Its role is to enforce rules set by the Airport Traffic Decision, ensuring airlines, air traffic control, and the airport itself adhere to legal standards for the benefit of surrounding communities.
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ILT Aviation Authority Cannot Take Action Against Noise Exceedances at Schiphol
In the 2025 usage year, Schiphol Airport exceeded the noise limit values at enforcement points 18 (Lijnden) and 25 (Uithoorn) by 7% and 3%, respectively. These exceedances are partly due to flights operating under the New Noise Standards and Enforcement System (NNHS). Since the conditions for anticipatory enforcement are met, the aviation authority of the Inspection for Living Environment and Transport (ILT Aviation Authority) cannot take action against these exceedances to protect the living environment.
In 2025, there were also five instances of unauthorized deviations from departure routes during the night. Airlines received warnings for these incidents. Additionally, the ILT Aviation Authority issued six warnings to airlines that improperly used aircraft auxiliary power units (APUs) on the apron. In one case, a previously imposed penalty of €2,500 was collected from KLM for APU violations, as outlined in the enforcement report. This information is included in the Schiphol enforcement report for 2025, which was published today by the ILT Aviation Authority.
Airport Traffic Decision
Schiphol is subject to standards for noise, the maximum number of night flights, emissions of air pollutants, and external safety for the surrounding area. Additional rules govern runway and route usage, as well as emissions of air pollutants at the airport site. These standards and rules are set out in the Airport Traffic Decision for Schiphol (LVB). The ILT Aviation Authority monitors compliance with the LVB by Schiphol, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), and airlines. After each usage year (November 1 to October 31), the ILT Aviation Authority publishes an enforcement report detailing the results of its oversight.
Anticipatory Enforcement
Following instructions from the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, the ILT Aviation Authority does not impose measures on the sector for exceeding limit values at enforcement points if the exceedances result from flights operating under the NNHS rules. This applies to four strict preferential runway usage rules.
Noise
Noise limit values apply to air traffic to and from Schiphol, covering both total noise levels and local noise levels at fixed enforcement points around the airport. In the 2025 usage year, the noise limit was exceeded by 7% at enforcement point 18 (Lijnden) and by 3% at enforcement point 25 (Uithoorn). These exceedances are partly due to flights operating under the NNHS. Due to the minister’s instructions, the ILT Aviation Authority cannot take action against these exceedances. At all other enforcement points, including those monitored at night, actual noise levels remained below the limit values. The total noise level also stayed within the permitted thresholds.
Nuisance Caused by Solar Panels
In 2025, there were two periods during which both the Polderbaan runway and Zwanenburglaan were partially unusable due to glare from solar panels. As a safety measure, incoming traffic was distributed across other runways. This had a negligible impact on the exceedances at the enforcement points mentioned above and did not result in violations of the strict preferential runway usage rules.
Night Flights, Runway, and Route Usage
The number of night flights by commercial traffic was 25,508, representing a 2.3% increase compared to 2024. The maximum permitted number of night flights by commercial traffic is 32,000. In the 2025 usage year, pilots deviated from night departure routes five times without instructions from Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL). Airlines received warnings for these deviations. No violations of route usage rules for LVNL or runway usage rules were observed.
Use of Auxiliary Power Units
Unnecessary use of the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)—the onboard aircraft engine that runs on kerosene—on the apron leads to unwanted emissions at the airport. Reducing APU usage improves air quality and the health of workers on the platforms. The ILT Aviation Authority monitors and promotes the full provision of alternative, cleaner power and air conditioning facilities at aprons. Airlines must use these alternatives when available to limit APU usage. Compliance with the rules improved in 2025, though there were six cases of improper APU use. The ILT Aviation Authority collected a €2,500 penalty from KLM once and issued six warnings.
State of Aviation
The key findings from the ILT Aviation Authority’s oversight will also be included in the State of Aviation report, which will be submitted to the House of Representatives by the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management in the first half of 2026.